09-22-2009, 04:41 AM
Exec Team: For academic amusement, I just read the Bylaws posted on the RTR website (dated 10/2008). I have served on a number of boards over the years, and RTR's last provision is one that I would like to discuss at Wednesday's meeting:
"...the Bylaws may be adopted, amended, and repealed by an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the entire Executive Board."
I have never seen nonprofit Bylaws that can be changed simply through a vote of the Board and not a vote of the entire membership. While we cannot expect the Board to bring every little decision to the membership, Bylaw changes are a different matter altogether.
Furthermore, the 10/2008 document places no limitations upon Bylaw changes. Theoretically, the Board, by itself, can repeal an existing provision, take a previously precluded action, and restate the old provision, all within the same Exec meeting and without notice to the membership. When trying to verify my interpretation of this language, I was told that Bylaw changes required a Membership vote until quite recently.
I know that you all have the Club's welfare at heart. However, I believe that this one action was a big mistake, and would like the Membership to reconsider the prior provisions. I would appreciate it if the prior provision could be brought to the Wednesday's meeting for discussion. Maybe we stubbed our toe on this one.
Thank you for all of your efforts on our behalf,
"...the Bylaws may be adopted, amended, and repealed by an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the entire Executive Board."
I have never seen nonprofit Bylaws that can be changed simply through a vote of the Board and not a vote of the entire membership. While we cannot expect the Board to bring every little decision to the membership, Bylaw changes are a different matter altogether.
Furthermore, the 10/2008 document places no limitations upon Bylaw changes. Theoretically, the Board, by itself, can repeal an existing provision, take a previously precluded action, and restate the old provision, all within the same Exec meeting and without notice to the membership. When trying to verify my interpretation of this language, I was told that Bylaw changes required a Membership vote until quite recently.
I know that you all have the Club's welfare at heart. However, I believe that this one action was a big mistake, and would like the Membership to reconsider the prior provisions. I would appreciate it if the prior provision could be brought to the Wednesday's meeting for discussion. Maybe we stubbed our toe on this one.
Thank you for all of your efforts on our behalf,
Joe Piernock, Paoli, PA
1972 914-3.2, 1974 Capri, 2013 GTI
1972 914-3.2, 1974 Capri, 2013 GTI